But what does Kenner Mayor Ben Zahn believe?

Posted Sep 11, 2018

Colin Kaepernick, the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback who started a protest movement during the national anthem, is featured in Nike's 30th anniversary "Just Do It" ad campaign. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File) (Marcio Jose Sanchez | AP PHOTO)

I am currently reading "The Heritage: Black Athletes, A Divided America, and the Politics of Patriotism" by sports journalist Howard Bryant. Bryant will be speaking at Dillard Sept. 18 as part of our nationally admired Brain Food lecture series, now in its sixth year. I've been pleased to continue the lecture tradition at Dillard that dates back to the 1930s, as we have been able to bring timely speakers to address the issues of the day.

I invited Bryant because over the past year President Donald Trump has waged war on the NFL. His outrage has been toward those players who knelt during the National Anthem, with the poster child being Colin Kaepernick. With a new book on the history of protests, a lecture at the beginning of the NFL season was a perfect choice.

But this past week suggests Bryant's visit is not perfect, but ordained. On Sept. 3, Nike announced that one of the faces of the 30th anniversary of their "Just Do It" ad campaign is none other than Colin Kaepernick. The print ad released that day was a close up shot of Kaepernick, along with the statement, "Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything."

The idea is compelling. It conveys a depth of commitment, that we should be willing to give our all to a goal, a mission or a cause. It means having a faith that allows you to go all out, not worrying about consequences because of the courage of your convictions. It reminds me of Dillard's motto, Ex Fide Fortis, strong from faith.

Nike, always at the forefront of innovation and edginess with their ad campaigns, wins again. Their primary demographic overwhelmingly approves of the new effort. But not everyone was happy. From a presidential tweet ("What was Nike thinking?") to random people burning Nike gear like they were LeBron James' Cleveland jerseys the first time he left, some Americans saw this as Nike's betrayal of patriotism.

Quietly, Zahn issued an edict on Sept. 5 that he was banning the purchase or use of Nike products, or those with Nike logos at any Kenner recreation facility. No rationale, no context. The memo was sent initially to the recreation director, and it appears from there it was disseminated to coaches and boosters. The mayor's decree was never discussed at a City Council meeting. It was not publicly posted on the website. It was not shared via Twitter.

He sent it out, and essentially hid.

And this is why this moment is so powerful, one that we can't miss. Colin Kaepernick's belief in his protest against police brutality has essentially ended his career as an NFL player. There was no guarantee that Nike would have kept him, let alone make him prominent in their new campaign. While many questioned Kaepernick's authenticity, he risked it all for something he believes in.

By Sunday morning, Zahn's edict was circulating around social media. Local media outlets chased him all day on Sunday. No response. He finally emerged Monday morning saying he would give a statement by noon. Monday afternoon, five days after his proclamation, he finally explains in a poorly organized, unconvincing and illogical statement. In short, he says taxpayer dollars should not be used as part of a political agenda.

I wonder if any public dollars have ever ended up in a Starbucks. But I digress.

True leadership is exactly as Nike describes it -- believing in something even if it means sacrificing everything. Zahn has every right to his opinion, but as a leader, he should have been bold enough to debate with his City Council, and then share his decision giving a public statement with the full context. Instead he acted timidly hoping no one would find out, becoming the latest lesson for leadership in the social media age -- you can't hide! It is best to lead openly and with integrity.

As a university president, I believe in diversity of thought on campuses. My lecture series has been a public testimony of my belief. It's why I didn't cancel our contract for a debate that allowed a has-been klansman to participate. In fact, I told my wife I might have to resign over it, but I believe in free speech so much that I was willing to risk losing my job. Because this is what I believe.

Maybe it is my being a preacher's kid and my United Methodist upbringing. Maybe it is because Muhammad Ali was one of my heroes. In any event, I've been influenced by "The Heritage" that Howard Bryant will discuss at Dillard next week.

I hope Mayor Zahn will come be my guest, because I also believe we all can learn from tough situations.